Hopscotch hits the streets for eighth year in HRM

When most people think hopscotch, they might be thinking of the children’s game. For Billy Comer, his definition is completely different. For him, it means bringing youth and international artists together to collaborate and celebrate the elements of new and traditional hip hop.

Hopscotch is heading into its eighth year of showcasing artists, both locally and internationally, of various artforms. The four-day event, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, focuses on bringing youth together and for a chance for them to engage and learn from some of the arts most talented.

“At the beginning, we noticed a gap in the civic events calendar and the lack of entertainment specifically targeted at youth,” said Comer, a civic events co-ordinator for the HRM.

With that in mind, so began Hopscotch, a musical/artistic event designed for youth.

Held at Dartmouth Cove and various locations around the HRM and sponsored by the Dowtown Dartmouth Business Commission and the Dartmouth Waterfront Development, Hopscotch will be hosting up to 100 plus legendary and emerging artists spanning throughout Halifax and across the world.

American rapper Joyner Lucas will be turning the speakers up as the headliner of the event.

“When you think of Hopscotch, it’s a grassroots event. Our main goal is to have people come down and celebrate art,” says Comer.

From B Boy/B Girl battles and artist mixers to buildings being turned into canvases, Hopscotch is a low-cost celebration that is nothing short of a fun time and a way for people to get back to the roots of hip hop.